“Listing of the property provides recognition of the community’s historic importance and assures protective review of the federal projects that might adversely affect the character of the historic property,” said Frances McSwaim, director of the Arkansas Department of Heritage.

The Bryan-Sadler house was built in Queen Anne style, noted by its use of small brackets at building corners and around window openings, its front and side gables and simple, decorative window hoods, the nomination states. The house is two stories and generally has an L-shaped plan with chambered corners on the first floor of the east and south sides of the property.

A two-story addition and small one-story addition are attached to the rear of the house.

The Bryan-Sadler house was built about 1878 by an unknown family. No records exist on the house’s sale before 1881 when it was sold to Lewis Bryan. In 1893, the house was sold to Jiles Lucas. The house made its way into the Sadler family’s hands in July 1899. It remained in the Sadler family for 86 years, and was sold by Mary Sadler in 1985 upon her retirement.

Albert and Mae O’Donnell are the current owners.

The house was nominated for its association with Anna Sadler, a local performer and artist who was married to R.S. Wilson, a U.S. attorney. Anna Sadler began performing at age 12, performing skits, readings and songs regionally from Van Buren to Eureka Springs. She also became a civic activist.

Anna Sadler was born in Paris. After living for a short time on Broadway in Van Buren, her parents and seven siblings moved to 505 N. 14th St.

It was in this house that Anna Sadler Wilson would grow up, where she would practice for many of her public appearances and live with her husband shortly before her death in 1981. After several years of pursing acting, she became a teacher in the Van Buren School District.

Anna Sadler Wilson was a very important person in Van Buren, the nomination states.

“Through her years of regional performances and her later years working to better her community and the people in it, Anna Sadler Wilson was always community minded,” the nomination further states. “When she first got paid to act as Juliet at the King Opera House, she chose to donate the money raised from the performance toward the construction of a local monument. After her years away from home pursing acting, Anna Sadler Wilson went on to become a potent local force.”

“Besides Anna Sadler Wilson’s lifetime commitment to community involvement, the other constant in her life was her home,” the nomination states. “It was in every way her home, her rehearsal studio and her place of relaxation. For all of these reasons, the Sadler House is significant.”